After our initial reveal of the Xbox 360 avatars, it was still in the realm of rumors. Now, after the Microsoft press conference, we can be sure that they are absolutely real. And they're just a small part of a much larger overhaul to the entire 360 Dashboard. Avatars will integrated into the larger 360 experience via a community "channel", when your friends come online, their avatars will appear in said channel.
Microsoft is also creating a party system via the community channel which will allow for users to chat in large groups, share the media from their hard drives, and more. Demonstrated was the ability to move the party from photos, to videos, to games all while keeping the party of Avatars and players together.
Microsoft is also creating a party system via the community channel which will allow for users to chat in large groups, share the media from their hard drives, and more. Demonstrated was the ability to move the party from photos, to videos, to games all while keeping the party of Avatars and players together.
Also unveiled was "Xbox Live Primetime" which allows for Avatars to be used in a mix of game show, video game and traditional TV. Additionally, Microsoft promises to have "real prizes" available through Primetime.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
7-14-2008 @ 2:31PM
Rell said...
And Home...
http://i36.tinypic.com/sw37md.jpg
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7-14-2008 @ 6:00PM
Gloqwi said...
And what the Dashboard could have been:
http://bp2.blogger.com/_s7TzhGa9Ous/SGrwaeDVEXI/AAAAAAAAAP4/N7t5q7cuDbY/s1600-h/dash-2-0.jpg
7-14-2008 @ 2:31PM
TekTro said...
Looks.... different
the dash was old but i dont really like this.
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7-14-2008 @ 2:31PM
Neuromancer said...
Not sure if this is much of an improvement over the old dashboard. The avatars are pretty much a shameless rip off of the Miis.
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7-14-2008 @ 2:31PM
Mikhail said...
Whats up with the WII looking avatars?
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7-14-2008 @ 2:32PM
Rick said...
XBox Avatars = me clawing my eyeballs out.
HORRIBLE, ALSO-RAN IDEA, MICROSOFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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7-14-2008 @ 2:33PM
itsburnsie said...
While I appreciate all of this... "innovation", I'm worried they're kinda throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
I mean, stuff like gamerpics, gamercards, and friends lists were stuff that I LIKED about the 360 interface. Are they getting rid of those in favor of Avatars and "Community" channels?
If so, WTF Microsoft? Even Sony has stated they're not dumb enough to get rid of the XMB when home launches.
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7-14-2008 @ 3:53PM
nomadic0ne said...
I agree.
I like the Wii, but never really got into the Miis...
I liked the gamertags and the gamerpics and hope to god they include an option to choose between them.
As for the interface, I'm not impressed from the initial picture, but would have to see it in motion.
It looks like WAY more wasted space and I would guess it would take longer to scroll through those pages to find something.
Ah well.
Color me not impressed, but I'll reserve final opinion for when I see it live (heh. "Live" Get it?) and in motion.
7-14-2008 @ 2:34PM
Author X said...
Man, I just got a 360 and I love the dashboard. That just looks... boring. And slapping a 2D interface or picture onto an unnecessary 3D environment has never impressed me :/
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7-14-2008 @ 2:36PM
Timur Tabi said...
The avatars are stupid. I hope there's a way to avoid making one.
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7-14-2008 @ 3:19PM
Viridium said...
Agreed. No Ava-tard for me, I'd prefer to stick with my Gamerpic.
What about those people who bought Dashboard themes and Gamerpics?
7-14-2008 @ 3:40PM
Cal said...
Such a happy day ruined by dashboard changes and avatar =(
7-14-2008 @ 2:40PM
Rick said...
And why is there so much wasted screen space? Was this concepted by retarded, blind chimps? Seriously, this makes me cringe! It's just awful.
What about all the people that paid for gamer pics and themes? Fuck 'em? All this 'innovation' better be optional.
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7-14-2008 @ 2:41PM
jtedesco33 said...
I am in the Home beta and Home sucks, I was hoping MS wouldn't waste good money on a similar type service. Although I will laugh my ass off if this comes out before Home.
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7-14-2008 @ 2:46PM
mattclarkie said...
The current dashboard is fine, it just needs a a slight re-ordering and tidy.
The new system looks O.K, but the Mii thing is daft. The gamercard with your rep and points and gamerpicture at the top of every blade was good, they should stick with that. I hope gamerpictures remain as an option as the Avatars look crap.
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7-14-2008 @ 2:46PM
dylan said...
At least party up with Lego for some avatars with style, those plastic dough creatures look HORRIBLE!!!! And yes, the dashboard was the best feature about the 360, it is the reason I cite when I try to get friends to get an Xbox, I guess I won't try to convert any more friends...
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7-14-2008 @ 2:48PM
onesidezero2481 said...
you guys worry way too much... i'm sure gamerpics will still be an option. has live really let us down yet? wait for further pics and vids of the new dashboard before you jump to conclusions
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7-14-2008 @ 2:53PM
Rick said...
Dude, were you watching this trainwreck being announced on G4? It's absolute shit. There's no info that I've seen yet about it being optional, but I'm very hopeful. I have a sinking feeling that we're going to get stuck with this mess, though.
7-14-2008 @ 2:48PM
Kevin Gass said...
Are they changing the Guide blade as well?
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7-14-2008 @ 4:34PM
AoE said...
Yeah, in a cool way too (hopefully) apparently all the other blade content is going to be buried in the guide, so you have 1-button access to any part of your drive. Switch directly from game to xbla title, or video, or whatever, no need to return to the dash first.